Not quitting after World Cup: Ponting

Colombo, Mar. 5: Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting is not throwing in the towel come the end of the World Cup 2011. He has rubbished speculation that he would stand down from the one-day side after the global event, by saying that he is determined to guide Australian cricket through its most tumultuous period in two decades.

"I honestly haven't seen a finish-line yet, which is a good thing," he said ahead of his side's clash against the Sri Lankans at the R. Premadasa Stadium here this afternoon.

"Every day is still a challenge training-wise and game-wise. One thing I'm proud of is the amount of cricket I've been able to play and some of the wins I've been involved in. All the runs and hundreds are great but they've never been the reason why I've played the game . . . nothing's different now," the Daily Telegraph quoted Ponting, as saying.

Ponting knows his form must improve if he wants to avoid a tap on the shoulder from the national selectors.

The Test skipper has scored just one ton from his last 43 international innings. In 22 one-day matches in the 2010 calendar year, Ponting scored 771 runs at 36.71, below-par returns for a batting phenomenon rated Australia's best since Bradman.

"I'd love to keep playing but I'm only going to keep playing if I think I can contribute to the team and help win games of cricket," he said.

"I don't want to be standing in anyone's way. If there are players better than me to play one-day cricket or Test cricket . . . if that''s the case I''m happy to move aside," he said.

The Australians embark on a one-day tour of Bangladesh straight after the World Cup before Test trips to Sri Lanka and South Africa from August to November this year.

Notwithstanding a serious dip in form, Ponting expects to be part of the touring parties.Oneindia Cricket